past paper questions Cambridge IGCSE Geography past paper questions
Past paper questions are reproduced by permission of University of Cambridge International Examinations.
Chapter 8: Climate and vegetation
QUESTION 1: Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460/11 Q4 November 2009
(a) Study Fig. 7, which shows the location of areas with a tropical rain forest ecosystem.
Tropic of Cancer
Equator
Tropic of Capricorn
Key Tropical rain forest ecosystem
Fig. 7
(i) What is meant by the term ecosystem? [1]
(ii) Describe the distribution of areas with a tropical rain forest ecosystem. [2]
(iii) Explain why areas of tropical rain forest have a high annual precipitation. [3]
(iv) Explain the effects of climate on the natural vegetation in tropical rain forests. [4]
1 © Oxford University Press 2012 Chapter 8: Climate and vegetation past paper questions
(b) Study Fig. 8, which shows deforestation of an area of tropical rain forest.
1960 Settlement Tropical rain forest
River
2000 Tree felling New road Mining Farming
River
Fig. 8
Describe and explain the likely effects of deforestation on:
(i) food chains; [3]
(ii) rivers. [5]
(c) Name an area of tropical desert which you have studied. Describe and explain the main features of its climate. [7]
[ Total: 25 marks]
2 © Oxford University Press 2012 Chapter 8: Climate and vegetation past paper questions
QUESTION 2: Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460/ 01 Q3 June 2008
(a) Study Fig. 5A, which shows the location of the Mojave Desert, along with Fig. 5B, a graph showing its climate.
N
N
NEVADA
NEVADA UTAH
UTAH CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA Mojave Desert
Mojave Desert
ARIZONA Pacific Ocean
ARIZONA Pacific Ocean
0 250 km 0 250 km Fig. 5A CANADA
CANADA
USA
USA
Area shown by Fig. 5A
Area shown by Fig. 5A
MEXICO
MEXICO
3 © Oxford University Press 2012 Chapter 8: Climate and vegetation past paper questions
40
30
20 Temperature (ºC) Temperature 10
40 0
35
30
25
20
Precipitation (mm) 15
10
5
0 J F M A M J J A S O N D Months Fig. 5B
(i) Estimate the total annual precipitation in the Mojave Desert. [1] (ii) What is the annual temperature range in the Mojave Desert? You must show how you worked out your answer. [2]
(iii) Describe the location of the Mojave Desert. [3] (iv) Explain why tropical desert areas, such as the Mojave Desert, are hot and dry. You may use labelled diagrams or sketch maps in your answer. [4]
(b) Study Photograph D (Insert), which shows vegetation in part of the Mojave Desert. (i) Describe the main features of the vegetation shown in Photograph D. [3] (ii) Explain the effects of climate on the natural vegetation in tropical desert areas. [5]
(c) Many areas of natural vegetation are at risk from human activities. Name either an area of tropical rain forest or tropical desert which you have studied and explain why and how it is at risk from human activities. [7] [ Total: 25 marks]
4 © Oxford University Press 2012